Speech and language are the building blocks of early learning, and starting at a deficit in either area can negatively impact the future of any child.
Sharon Burkey, speech and language teacher at Poplar Bluff’s Early Childhood Center takes pride in her role as an educator and intends to see that her student’s educational needs are met.
She was named the ECC Teacher of the Year by the Poplar Bluff R-I school district.
Burkey, who received her Master of Arts degree in 2002, has been working in the field of speech pathology for 20 years now, most of which has been served working in the Poplar Bluff R-1 School District.
She spent her first year as a speech pathologist working in the Greenville School District, but came to Poplar Bluff in 2003.
“The Poplar Bluff Early Childhood Center is such a great environment for all students, teachers and co-workers. The students are our number one priority and our future,” stated Burkey.
Letters nominating Burkey for Teacher of the Year describe her as a positive, upbeat asset to the district, students and families she serves. Burkey is said by many to go above and beyond her duties as a speech teacher. Children with special needs relating to speech often require the ability to utilize different teaching techniques, an ability which Burkey seems to have mastered in her years of experience.
“Sharon’s skills are enhanced by her varied experiences in treating children with special needs in all areas of communication. Mrs. Burkey serves many speech and language delays within the school environment. She treats students with articulation disorders, phonological disorders, apraxia, autism, spectrum disorder, down syndrome, language-impaired and hearing impaired, just to name a few,” said colleague Jeanine Bradley.
One parent wrote, “She continues to put her students first and is one of the most wonderful human beings that cares for the well-being of each of our children along with their parents.”
“Mrs. Sharon is a queen,” wrote a student, “I love her because she is nice, beautiful and kind.”
Burkey said, “I am thrilled and honored to be chosen as Early Childhood Teacher of the year 2022. This nomination is such a blessing to me because it comes from all my co-workers, who have made educating and encouraging young children their priority on a daily basis.”
Burkey and her husband, Stacey Burkey, have been married for 31 years. They have two boys, Joshua and Noah. Stacey Burkey retired in 2020 from Three Rivers College, where he was an instructor and head baseball coach.
Joshua is a para-educator for students with disabilities at Poplar Bluff Middle School, and Noah is a sophomore at TRC, with plans to attend the University of Arkansas.
The family attends First Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff, and has served with several ministries in their church.
Editor’s note: Teacher of the Year is a continuing series that recognizes excellence in education at area districts.